Centipede Grass
Eremochloa ophiuroides · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Centipede (likely), showing typical medium-green color and low growth habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; sensitive to extreme cold and prolonged freezing temperatures; enters brown dormancy in winter.
About This Grass
A low-growing, medium-textured turfgrass often called 'Lazy Man's Grass' due to its slow growth. It exhibits a light to medium green color and maintains a naturally low profile. In the image, it appears somewhat stressed with yellowish-brown patches, likely due to soil conditions or drought. Seed heads are single, spike-like racemes.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (3-5mm), flat blades with a blunt or rounded tip; light to lime-green color; vernation is folded; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; blades are relatively smooth with a prominent midrib.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system compared to other warm-season grasses; spreads via thick, leafy stolons; slow to establish from seed or sod; low thatch producer.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Southeast Asia; widely adapted to the Southeastern United States and Gulf Coast
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading by above-ground runners to form a slow-growing, dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred but possesses moderate shade tolerance (better than Bermuda, less than St. Augustine); requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs; sensitive to iron chlorosis in high pH soils; thrives in acidic, sandy soils (pH 5.0-6.0).
Mowing & Maintenance
Low maintenance; ideal mowing height of 1.5 to 2.0 inches; infrequent mowing required; low fertilization needs (1-2 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year); excessive Nitrogen can lead to 'Centipede Decline'.
Special Characteristics
Low fertility requirement; moderate wear tolerance; poor salt tolerance; excellent at crowding out weeds once established; prone to Centipede Decline and ground pearl insects; high drought recovery but wilts quickly during dry spells.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization for sandy coastal plains; low wildlife value but creates a dense ground cover that reduces runoff and soil erosion.